All About Japan Autos

Earlier this week, we reported that the NHTSA has heightened its investigation into cases involving stalling engines in certain model Toyota Corollas and Matrixes. Now a full-blown recall has been announced.

Toyota says that it will be recalling approximately 1.13 million 2005-2008 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles sold in the U.S. The Matrix’s sibling, the Pontiac Vibe — produced during the same years — is also involved in the bundled recall.

According to a Toyota press release, the vehicles’ Engine Control Modules (ECM) were “improperly manufactured,” and there is a possibility that “a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage.”

The Wall Street Journal explains that the issue tends to arise “in two-wheel-drive versions of the vehicles with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine known as the 1ZZ-FE.” WSJ also notes that “the check-engine light comes on if cracks occur,” and the “transmission may shift harshly and the engine may not start.” The engine could also stop while the vehicle is being driven.

Autoblog writes, “To fix this problem, Toyota will replace the engine control modules on the recalled vehicles starting in mid-September.” Toyota will repair vehicles at no charge to customers.

Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

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